New Delhi: Govt intensifies action against air pollution

With the National Green Tribunal coming down on Delhi government for the city's deteriorating air quality, the environment department has decided to step up action against polluters.Updated: December 04, 2015, 08:49 IST

"It is a very vital issue and we cannot keep it pending. We intend to pass an order as to who will hear the matter," the bench said.New Delhi: With the National Green Tribunal coming down on Delhi government for the city's deteriorating air quality, the environment department has decided to step up action against polluters. Thursday was the seventh consecutive day when the city witnessed dense smog. Visibility, in fact, worsened on Thursday as it touched a high of only 1,100m against 1,400m on Wednesday.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee carried out a special drive for major construction projects towards the end of November and fined 39 of them Rs 50,000 each for dust pollution. NGT has issued specific guidelines to check rising dust pollution in the city, though the norms are not being met across the board. Dust is a major contributor to smog and has emerged as a major concern for environmentalists and doctors alike.

A four-member committee, including member secretaries of DPCC, Central Pollution Control Board, secretary health services and environment secretary, met on Thursday at NGT's directions to chalk out an emergency plan to deal with air pollution at specific spots. While the recommendations will be submitted to the court on the next date of hearing (December 11), environment secretary Ashwani Kumar said that the government will be stepping up efforts to curb pollution.

"There is some supplementary information that we need to gather to firm up this report. The administration has already put in measures, which will now be intensified. For instance, enforcement of the law against open burning of leaves, garbage and biomass will be stepped up," Kumar said.

"On Wednesday I wrote to the DCs, commissioners of municipal corporations and the police to ensure strict action against anyone found violating the law. We will also start a public awareness campaign on open burning of waste," he added.

The government will also be starting a pollution checking drive of vehicles at vulnerable places like Anand Vihar. "There is massive traffic movement in Anand Vihar area. Random PUC checks will be carried out on vehicles, especially if they are seen to have abnormal emissions. This will be done across various locations for the next few weeks. Another measure that will be enforced strictly is checking of pollution in industrial areas through diesel generator sets, etc," said Kumar.

Some long-term measures to check dust and smoke, especially for those areas that lack vegetation and see high traffic volumes, have also been decided. Sources said that large-scale tree plantation will need to be undertaken, but this activity will take some time.